The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-05-18

newspaper readers, II we may believe
the statisticians, whose conclusions ara
based upon the total average circula-
ton of all the newspapers published in
France. II we reckon newspapers and
periodicals of all kinds, and on all sub
jects published in France. whether
daily, weekly, or otherwise, we shall
find that Paris produces about 1900.
and the departments and colonies about
$500 If we analyze these numbers
we shall find forty daily political papers
in Paris, and about double that num-
Der of daily political papers published
in the great towns. like Bordeaux.
Marseilles, Lyons. Lille, Nantes, Hayre.
In order to reach the figure of 200
daily papers published in France we
should be obliged to include very
small sheets whose calculation is less
than 1000 copies a day. Indeed, we
may say, with very little exaggera-
ton, that the greatest and almost the
only French newspaper worth speak
ing about is lie Petit Journal; for. sup
posing that we take its circulation.
varying between 900, 900 and $50,
and supposing that each copy is read
by three or four persons-which is a
low ayerage-we may safely say that
this paper is read by half the reading
population of France. Next in circu-
lation to the Petit Journal come the
Petit Parisie,s and La La'sterne, with
daily circulations exceeding 10000
copies. The largest provincial circu-
lations are those of the one-cent pa
pers, lie Petit Lyonnais and lie Peti!
Marseillais, each about 10000 day.
All these one-cent papers are
splendid enterprises; for IN
stance, the annual profit Of
lie Petit Par.sien is in round mum.
bers 100000, and the annual profit Of
lie Petit Journal, $500, 900. The papers
at two and three cents can not come
near these one-cent papers, either in
comparative profits or in circulation.
lie Figaro is the only three-cent paper
that can be quoted as a fine enterprise
Even now, although its circulation il
10, 600 or Is, 600 less than it was three
years ago, the annual profits of Il
Figaro amount to 100000. The Gil
Bias. circulation $4,000, is also a pay
ing concern. The most serious ant
well-informed of all the French papers
lie Temps, barely gives profit at all
Among the two-cent papers, lie Matts
circulation 60, 900. is beginning to pay
fairly. But with these exceptions
there is not much newspaper stock in
Paris worth coveting. How the various
minor newspapers manage to live is
mystery, but mystery only to thos'
who are unfamiliar with the fascina
ton which newspaper ownership pos
sesses for the vain and for the am
bilious, for financial spectators and pc
litical intriguers. To sum up once more
we may say that there are two leadin,
papers in France, lie Petit Journal ant
lie Figaro, the former appealing to tn
great populace, the latter appealing t.
the middle and upper classes. TIL
publicity of lie Figaro is all powerful
it is speaking trumpet whose sound
re-echo through Europe-a fact which
enables the cynical triumvirate whicl
now presides over its destinies to sci
short puffs on the first page for IS
line, and to charge a publisher, for in
stance, $1,000 for leading article b.
Albert Wolff on new book which h
may desire to push. The system ma.
be reprehensible, but it helps to &C
count for the profits Of the paper; an
above all, from an advertising point q
view, the money thus spent is well in
vested, for the publicity Of lie Ngar
brings in sure return. In all mat
tiers where criticism comes into pla,
the influence of lie Figaro is incal
culable. The dramatic author who's
piece receives a favorable notice in til
Figaro need not pay heed to the re
marks of the other Paris journals. 81
can only count upon Figaro and G'
Bias" says the novelist who bring
out new volume, Il don't care
continental for the rest. IN Y. SUI